Startup Weekends are weekend-long, hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable. On average, half of Startup Weekend’s attendees have technical or design backgrounds, the other half have business backgrounds.

Beginning with open mic pitches on Thursday, attendees bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Over Friday and Saturday teams focus on customer development, validating their ideas, practicing LEAN Startup Methodologies and building a minimal viable product. On Saturday evening teams demo their prototypes and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts.